Well, I've gone and got myself a new blog.
(What? Not again! I hear you say, remembering my short-lived flirtation with Xanga.)
Worry not! This is business, this is a blog in addition to this blog but with Bravenet, not Blogger. Confused? Stick with it and all will become clear.
The website for the business, that Josie has been working so hard on, is taking shape now and includes the page specially for the local schools, with offers relevant to them. Josie suggested that I might 'say a few words' on it now and again and, from that, it was only a short leap to setting up a blog, linked to the website, where I can evaluate selected items and maybe make suggestions on how they could be used in school. I'll probably put the link to it on this sidebar when it is properly set up so that you can
a) have a look at it
b) be bored out of your skull if you are not a teacher - or even if you are!
I must say, I quite like the Bravenet templates. I'm off now to do a bit more work on it! See ya later!
Out and about
I've been allowed out the past two days! I have been doing my bit as a 'rep' for the business, touring the schools in the area in an effort to present a friendly, helpful face and, hopefully, drum up some business. We started doing software fairs in primary schools last term, in which we took a selection of educational software and I.T. related goods to schools to sell to the parents. The school then gets 10% commission or 15% if they take it in goods. Doing this helped us build a good relationship with the schools that invited us in and we are trying to extend this.
It's been very interesting visiting the different schools (I'm OK as long as I don't have to teach in them!)and it's amazing how each one is different. They all have their own individual atmosphere and of course the buildings are very different too. Some are new, state of the art, beautifully decorated, others are older, Victorian red brick buildings where creating a child-centred ambiance presents more of a challenge, which is not to say that the staff are not successful at that.
Of course, these days security is paramount, which means that you can't just walk in to a school as you could in days gone by. Now there are bells and keypads and intercoms and signing in books but only twice so far have I been kept on the doorstep. I have even ventured into two Welsh medium schools - and before you ask, that's nothing to do with ghosts or the next life! Welsh schools teach through the Welsh language, as opposed to teaching Welsh as one of the subjects in the curriculum, providing a valuable means of keeping the Welsh language alive and thriving.
The other pleasant part is being able to drive around the area, popping into schools, and, most importantly, popping back out again! I'm getting to see the area and finding my way around and my GPS system comes in very handy - essential equipment, in fact!
It's been very interesting visiting the different schools (I'm OK as long as I don't have to teach in them!)and it's amazing how each one is different. They all have their own individual atmosphere and of course the buildings are very different too. Some are new, state of the art, beautifully decorated, others are older, Victorian red brick buildings where creating a child-centred ambiance presents more of a challenge, which is not to say that the staff are not successful at that.
Of course, these days security is paramount, which means that you can't just walk in to a school as you could in days gone by. Now there are bells and keypads and intercoms and signing in books but only twice so far have I been kept on the doorstep. I have even ventured into two Welsh medium schools - and before you ask, that's nothing to do with ghosts or the next life! Welsh schools teach through the Welsh language, as opposed to teaching Welsh as one of the subjects in the curriculum, providing a valuable means of keeping the Welsh language alive and thriving.
The other pleasant part is being able to drive around the area, popping into schools, and, most importantly, popping back out again! I'm getting to see the area and finding my way around and my GPS system comes in very handy - essential equipment, in fact!
New laptop
Today, Keith bought me a new laptop - without being asked! I just thought you would all like to know that. So now I am the proud owner of a lovely laptop which sports a 40 gb. hard drive, a DVD rewriter, TV out, 512 mb of memory, firewire AND a 3ghz processor!!! Who's a lucky girl then!
In the meantime, the dining room is full of bits of Camaro (new, clean bits, fortunately), boxes which previously housed the said bits of Camaro and now the box and packaging which held my new laptop. Less generous souls than I might wonder fleetingly whether he bought me the new laptop to add to his collection of boxes.
Me? The thought never came near to entering my head! As if!!!
In the meantime, the dining room is full of bits of Camaro (new, clean bits, fortunately), boxes which previously housed the said bits of Camaro and now the box and packaging which held my new laptop. Less generous souls than I might wonder fleetingly whether he bought me the new laptop to add to his collection of boxes.
Me? The thought never came near to entering my head! As if!!!
Driven it???
So there we all are, slaving away in the shop, twisting people's arms up their backs in an effort to persuade them to part with their cash while Keith has his day off. Suddenly the phone rings. I answer.
"I've just driven the Camaro!"
Instant visions appear within my head of Keith careering down the road at the speed of light (it's capable of 400 horse-power!) BUT with no insurance, no road tax and no MOT.
"So, where did you take it?" I ask in an 'insouciant' manner.
"Two feet along the garden!" was the excited reply.
So, no need for panic just yet then!
"I've just driven the Camaro!"
Instant visions appear within my head of Keith careering down the road at the speed of light (it's capable of 400 horse-power!) BUT with no insurance, no road tax and no MOT.
"So, where did you take it?" I ask in an 'insouciant' manner.
"Two feet along the garden!" was the excited reply.
So, no need for panic just yet then!
website
Well, it's all systems go at CPU. Our website is in the process of being updated and will soon be up and running. You'll be able to browse our latest offers, look at our photos and buy things online! How good is that!! We have a special page for schools too - my photos is on that but don't let that put you off.
Meanwhile, I am gearing up to go forth and persuade the local schools that they can do no better than to come to us for their I.T. needs, which means being charming, confident in my product knowledge, persuasive..... and being able to find my way around the area without getting lost! GPS will come in handy there - £399 from us, installed and ready to go, in case you're interested!
So watch this space - link coming soon!
Meanwhile, I am gearing up to go forth and persuade the local schools that they can do no better than to come to us for their I.T. needs, which means being charming, confident in my product knowledge, persuasive..... and being able to find my way around the area without getting lost! GPS will come in handy there - £399 from us, installed and ready to go, in case you're interested!
So watch this space - link coming soon!
Left, right or wrong?
Keith: Just wait till that Camaro is running!
Me: Shall I be allowed to drive it?
K: Of course.
Me: It's going to be a bit difficult though, isn't it. The steering wheel is on the left.
K: No, it's on the right side.
Me: How can it be? It's left hand drive.
K: Yes, but it's right.
Me: No, it's left.
K: No, it's right.
Me: How can it be right? It's left.
K: It's right for that car.
Me: Only because it's American. We drive on the right so it's not right for us.
K: It won't do you any good sitting on the right in that car.
Me: Obviously because the steering wheel is on the left. All I was going to say is that I shall find it difficult having the gear stick on the right.
K: It won't be on the right, it's in the middle and anyway, it's automatic.
Always have to have the last word, men, have you noticed!
Me: Shall I be allowed to drive it?
K: Of course.
Me: It's going to be a bit difficult though, isn't it. The steering wheel is on the left.
K: No, it's on the right side.
Me: How can it be? It's left hand drive.
K: Yes, but it's right.
Me: No, it's left.
K: No, it's right.
Me: How can it be right? It's left.
K: It's right for that car.
Me: Only because it's American. We drive on the right so it's not right for us.
K: It won't do you any good sitting on the right in that car.
Me: Obviously because the steering wheel is on the left. All I was going to say is that I shall find it difficult having the gear stick on the right.
K: It won't be on the right, it's in the middle and anyway, it's automatic.
Always have to have the last word, men, have you noticed!
Obsolete computer
Enter man in black leather jacket.
"My brother bought a computer here a couple of weeks before Christmas and he's had nothing but trouble with it. Cost him £300."
"I presume it's a second user computer we're talking about?"
"Yes. £300 he paid. I could have built him one for less. I've already had to put a new power suppy unit in it."
"Well, actually, we only had two second user computers before Christmas and neither of them was £300. Also we refurbish our second user computer before we offer them for sale."
"Well, he paid £300 for it and it's obsolete. You should see the memory board!"
"We have not sold any computers for months for £300. We only had two for sale in the last four months."
"Look, I know he's too late to have his money back but I thought maybe you could do something for him. I know people in the computer business sometimes sell rubbish but I think you should do something about this one."
"We have not sold anyone a computer for £300 and furthermore, we do not sell rubbish."
"Well this computer is obsolete."
"We don't sell obsolete computers."
"You must have sold this one. I've got it in the car."
"No, we don't sell obsolete computers. I will not accept that."
"I've got it in the car...."
(Turns on his heel and makes a sharp exit from the shop........
never to be seen again!
Could it possibly have suddenly dawned on him that maybe he had the wrong shop?
"My brother bought a computer here a couple of weeks before Christmas and he's had nothing but trouble with it. Cost him £300."
"I presume it's a second user computer we're talking about?"
"Yes. £300 he paid. I could have built him one for less. I've already had to put a new power suppy unit in it."
"Well, actually, we only had two second user computers before Christmas and neither of them was £300. Also we refurbish our second user computer before we offer them for sale."
"Well, he paid £300 for it and it's obsolete. You should see the memory board!"
"We have not sold any computers for months for £300. We only had two for sale in the last four months."
"Look, I know he's too late to have his money back but I thought maybe you could do something for him. I know people in the computer business sometimes sell rubbish but I think you should do something about this one."
"We have not sold anyone a computer for £300 and furthermore, we do not sell rubbish."
"Well this computer is obsolete."
"We don't sell obsolete computers."
"You must have sold this one. I've got it in the car."
"No, we don't sell obsolete computers. I will not accept that."
"I've got it in the car...."
(Turns on his heel and makes a sharp exit from the shop........
never to be seen again!
Could it possibly have suddenly dawned on him that maybe he had the wrong shop?
Camaro update
Today Keith has finished the final assembly, which leaves only a few minor jobs to be done.
He has the cooliing system working, the electrical system sorted, likewise the carburation, fuel and the timing. The tyres are now inflated again and it fires on two cylinders when it turns over although the plugs need cleaning so that it will run properly.
Impressed? By the fact that I can write all this down, not by the jobs Keith has done! Let's get the right prespective on things here, folks!
He has the cooliing system working, the electrical system sorted, likewise the carburation, fuel and the timing. The tyres are now inflated again and it fires on two cylinders when it turns over although the plugs need cleaning so that it will run properly.
Impressed? By the fact that I can write all this down, not by the jobs Keith has done! Let's get the right prespective on things here, folks!
Camaro again
"Have you seen my kitchen scissors?"
"Oh yes, they're under the bonnet of the camaro."
"Why????"
"Well they were just what I needed for cutting the gasket."
Of course, silly me!
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